JEFFERSON TWP — It may not have been a perfect game for the Mars girls basketball team, but you wouldn't know it by looking at the scoreboard. The Planets' full-court defense stifled rival Knoch as Mars ran away with a 78-28 Section 1 victory on the Knights' floor Monday night. The visitors set the tone early, forcing Knoch into nine turnovers in the first quarter and leading 23-5 after eight minutes of action. Sophomore center Ali Goetz scored eight of her game-high 15 points in that span. “We've played full-court (man-to-man) defense all year,” said Mars coach Tony Howard. “We were aggressive with it tonight. Our goal is to create offense from it and we did. It was a team effort.” Knoch's offense was crippled by the turnovers as the team attempted just 15 field goals in the first half, making six. The Knights (3-10, 2-4) entered the game having won three of their last four contests. “In the games we won, we were getting a little (scoring) from everybody,” said Knoch coach Sean O'Donnell. “We'd have three girls in double digits.” That was not the case Monday, as senior guard Sam Logan led the team with just seven points. Mars (9-5, 5-1) featured three players in double figures. Joining Goetz was Jessica Bunner (14) and Sara Getsy (11). Bunner also scored 14 in last Friday's win over Valley. “Every game, she guards the other team's best offensive player,” Howard said of Bunner. “She's done a great job on defense and is starting to convert on the offensive end.“We're now getting offense from a lot of players,” added Howard. “That makes us tougher to defend.” Mars opened the second half with a 16-2 run. Despite the defeat, the Knights are just one game behind Freeport for the fourth and final playoff spot in the section. The Knights host the Yellowjackets on Thursday. “It's the biggest game of the year as far as we are concerned,” O'Donnell said. “We obviously have a lot of work to do, but we have to forget about tonight.” Notes: Mars grabbed 38 rebounds to 28 for the Knights ... Mars turned the ball over just nine times in the game. MARS 78 Teresa Dallatore 3 0-2 8, Daniella Paras 2 1-2 5, Paige Castora 1 0-0 2, Gabby Kosobucki 2 2-3 6, Jessica Bunner 7 0-3 14, Ali Goetz 6 2-4 15, Sara Getsy 3 5-8 11, Bonnie Workman 1 1-2 3, Lexie Mowery 1 0-0 2, Elyssa Paras 3 2-2 10, Elise Sheehy 1 0-0 2, Bri Buzard 0 0-0 0. Totals: 30 13-26 78. KNOCH 28 Sam Logan 3 1-2 7, Sarah Brasili 2 2-5 6, Maddy Bricker 1 2-2 4, Angela Cress 1 0-0 2, Megan McCormick 1 0-0 2, Savanna Steffen 2 0-0 4, Kelsey Wetzel 0 1-2 1, Maddie Canel 1 0-0 2, Molly Freehling 0 0-0 0, Erica Hunter 0 0-0 0, Abbie Thrower 0 0-0 0, Allie Megahan 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 6-11 28. Mars 23 21 22 12—78 Knoch5 9 7 7—28 3-point goals: Mars 5 (Dallatore 2, E. Paras 2, Goetz). Thursday: Mars at Valley; Freeport at Knoch